PrepWell Podcast with Phil Black

Show Notes: In this episode, I do my best to review the recent Supreme Court ruling that ended affirmative action in college admissions and opine on what it might mean for your child's prospects going forward.   Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on Facebook If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take. Subscribe to the podcast where ever yo...

Show Notes: In this week’s show, I try my best to help you, help your child, figure out what to do this summer. If you’ve been following this podcast for some time, it shouldn’t take much to convince you how important summer experiences can be for your child - not only to make their college application look better - but for real life as well.  I know, it’s not easy to figure out what to do with te...

Show Notes:  In this episode, I review a series of baseline summer goals for each grade (9-12th). If you want to know whether or not you're on track, please give a listen. Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on Facebook If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take. Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcasts Follow me on Instag...

Show Notes: In this episode, I walk through a thought experiment that asks you to decide between two scenarios? Scenario 1: Spend $400K to attend ABC University Scenario 2: Keep the $400K, skip college There are many students who, implicitly or explicitly, are making this decision every year. What would you do? Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on Facebook If you wan...

Show Notes: In this episode, I go through a bunch of issues that parents, students, and families are getting wrong (IMO). They are paying too much attention to issue X, and not enough attention to issue Y. Please make sure you are on the right side of the game here: GPA vs SAT 11/12th grade vs 9/10th grade relying on others vs yourself traditional colleges vs alternative paths class selection vs S...

Show Notes: In this episode, I give a quick shout out to all of the new parents and students who just enrolled in PrepWell Academy. These eager 8th-graders have been chomping at the bit to get started. I then reflect on the critical transitions that are happening across all of these age groups. 8th-graders to rising freshmen 9th-graders to sophomores 10th-graders to juniors 11th-graders to seniors...

Show Notes: In this short episode, I focus on parents of current 8th-graders (Class of 2027) and sophomores (Class of 2025).  As the PrepWell year comes to a close (June 1), I have a special (and time-sensitive) message for these parent cohorts. If you have a current 8th-grader or 10th-grader, please give this episode a listen. Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on Fa...

Show Notes: In this episode, I highlight the Top 6 mistakes parents are making as they navigate the college admissions process.  If you have a 6th - 11th grader, give this episode a listen to make sure you are steering clear of these common pitfalls. Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on Facebook If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take....

Show Notes: In this episode, I give my best advice to parents of 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th-graders on how to think about their child's transition to the next gradeI cover each of these transitions separately and address how you should think about each of the different inflection points. Each transition is unique and poses its own set of challenges and opportunities. Find the transition that y...

Show Notes: In this episode, I discuss how to give feedback to your child - specifically after a sporting event.  Is there a right or wrong way? What are the pitfalls? Should you give any feedback at all? What is your child listening for? I offer 5 Guiding Principles to consider when thinking about whether or not to offer feedback to your child. The episode should be helpful even if your child doe...

Show Notes: In this episode, I walk through the 6 most common categories of undergraduate colleges and universities. Here they are: community college average, state college/university highly-acclaimed state college/university average, private, liberal arts college/university highly-acclaimed private, liberal arts college/university most prestigious private, liberal arts college/university I addres...

Show Notes: Last week, we talked about fantasy summer camps. This week, I get more practical. I do my best to answer this very common question: "Should I go to XYZ summer enrichment camp?" Listen to this episode to hear the pros, the cons, and the questions you should ask yourself before registering for any camp. Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on Facebook If you w...

Show Notes: In this episode, I share one of my most potent tactics in getting teenagers to articulate what they are most curious about. It starts with a simple question: "Describe your ultimate fantasy summer camp". Once I have their answer, I can dig into the details and help them figure out how to connect this fantasy with reality. It works like a charm. I walk through a case study with a studen...

In this episode, I argue against the common advice to "visit as many college campuses as you can. The more the better." Sometimes, visiting a college campus can work against your child (and you). Find out what could go wrong if you choose to visit the wrong campus, at the wrong time, without any forethought.

Show Notes: In this continuation of last week's Rapid Fire Q&A, I answer another batch of listener questions that have accumulated over the last week.   Here's a sample of what I cover: What is the one trap that most PrepWellers fall into that hurts their chances? What are the most undervalued experiences that most teenagers are not thinking enough about? At what point is it too late for a high sc...

Show Notes: In this episode, I answer a bunch of listener questions that have been accumulating for a few weeks.   Here's a sample of what I cover: How many AP classes should I take? Should I take AP Calc AB or BC? Is it better to get a job or an internship? How many hours of volunteer work do I need to be competitive at the Ivies? Should I take the paper-based or digital SAT? What's the differenc...

In this episode, I discuss 4 strategies that a student can adopt to secure a leadership position during high school. With rampant grade inflation, watered-down course rigor, optional SAT/ACT tests, and ChatGPT-written college essays and teacher letters of recommendation, college admissions officers are desperate for something to help them differentiate among a sea of similar-sounding students. Onc...

In this episode, I remind every PrepWeller (and parent) out there, about the importance of sending "thank you" notes to people who helped you on your college admissions journey. Most colleges will send out their regular admissions decisions this month. Don't get caught up in the results so much that you forget to thank those who helped you along the way. If you think your list is just one or two p...

In this episode, I give one simple bit of advice for any up-and-coming PrepWeller who intends to score well on the verbal section of the SAT or ACT.  Please listen to this episode with your child. Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on Facebook If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take. Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to pod...

Show Notes: In this episode, I compare your child's summer activity strategy with the financial concept known as a "real option". How can your child create a summer experience that maximizes options and minimizes obligations? Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on Facebook If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take. Subscribe to the podcast...

Show Notes: In this episode, I lay out the new rules governing college admissions. In case you didn't get the memo, college admissions aren't like they used to be just 3 years ago. Don't get caught playing by the wrong set of rules. Find out what matters today and decide whether you need to stay the course or make some adjustments. Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow o...

In this episode, I try to help families focus on the issues that matter most when it comes to college admissions. In my experience, some families get too hyped-up about the wrong issues. Despite their good intentions, misplaced energy and focus sometimes lead them astray. Listen to the 4 issues that should be emphasized more and the 4 issues that should be emphasized less. With so many issues comp...

Show Notes: In this episode, I offer 35 extracurricular activity ideas for students interested in sports/journalism. This is one of the most popular answers to the question, "So, what are you interested in?" A high percentage of the students that I work with aspire to go into this field. Unfortunately, most of them end up participating in the same old activities as their peers. Listen to this podc...

Now that COVID is behind us, it's time for every teenager to get back to work this summer. Why are "paying jobs" so critical for teenagers these days? What lessons do summer jobs teach? How do colleges view summer work experience? Are there any exceptions to this rule? Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on Facebook If you want to support the show, here are three immed...

Show Notes: In this week's episode, I discuss the many benefits of modern day summer school - not the "summer school" you and I grew up with (which was typically a mark of dereliction), but the new and improved summer school.  Should your child consider summer school? Which summer school classes to take Reasons to take summer school How to take advantage of virtual summer school? Follow us: Enroll...